| 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAL | 41 | 28 | 69 |
| ILST | 24 | 29 | 53 |
Freeman helps Valparaiso upset Illinois State 69-53 on road
NORMAL, Ill. -- Freshman Javon Freeman scored a career-high 27 points on 11-of-13 shooting and Valparaiso upset Illinois State 69-53 on Tuesday night.
Freeman sank 4 of 6 from 3-point range for the Crusaders (13-11, 6-5 Missouri Valley Conference) and added five rebounds, four assists, three steals and a blocked shot. Derrik Smits hit 8 of 10 shots and scored 16 for Valparaiso, which pulled into a third-place tie with Drake by ending a four-game skid. The Redbirds (14-10, 7-4) drop to second, one-game behind Loyola-Chicago, which already has a win over Illinois State this season.
Freeman hit two 3-pointers and added a 3-point play as Valparaiso jumped out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back. Illinois State pulled within 25-21 on Zach Copeland's 3-pointer, but Freeman scored the last six in an 8-0 run and the Crusaders increased their lead to 41-24 at intermission.
Copeland sank 4 of 7 from distance and was the lone Redbird to reach double figures with 17 points.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Tom Eades
- Jeb Hartness
- Ervin Wilson
2024-25 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley | 8-1 | - | 17-3 |
| Drake | 7-2 | 1 | 17-2 |
| Belmont | 6-3 | 2 | 14-6 |
| UIC | 6-3 | 2 | 13-6 |
| Northern Iowa | 6-3 | 2 | 12-8 |
| Murray State | 5-4 | 3 | 11-9 |
| Illinois State | 4-5 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Valparaiso | 3-6 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Indiana State | 3-6 | 5 | 9-11 |
| Southern Illinois | 3-6 | 5 | 8-12 |
| Evansville | 3-6 | 5 | 6-14 |
| Missouri State | 0-9 | 8 | 7-13 |
Men's College Basketball News